4.26.2012

W: weights

w

WEIGHTS, LIFTING

I learned the power gained
through weight lifting about four years ago. I had never considered myself to
be an athlete, or even remotely capable of anything falling under the category
of “sports.” But then, after losing about 100 pounds and needing a way to firm
up all the undesired flabbiness that comes with a huge weight loss, I grabbed
myself a personal trainer and timidly opened the door to lifting.

Here is what I learned about
myself:

1.Contrary to my
lifelong belief, I am athletic

2.I am stronger
than I believed

3.I push myself
past the point where many people would stumble and quit

4.I love lifting

Many women are afraid of
lifting because they believe weights will hulk them out like a super-charged
steroid-ridden power lifter. Not so much. Even lifting seriously heavy, a woman’s
body just isn’t designed to grow gargantuan muscles without some serious supplementation
on the side.

When I was lifting regularly
and eating clean, I was leaner, stronger, and smaller than I had been in my life. In my life, people. It only took 2 to 3 one-hour sessions in the gym each
week to maintain a body that, while not as sculpted as a fitness model, was
still strong and healthy.

Right now I’m on the road
back to that kind of regular dedication to myself. It’s a hard battle to fight,
when it’s so much easier to let kids, a husband, work – really, any number of
things – take precedence.

But here’s the deal – the truth
of the issue that people just don’t like to face – eating right and being
healthy aren’t about the calories or the scale or the number of reps or
increase in weights.

Being healthy is about being
dedicated to you. And when you can
master truly putting your best health before anything else? I think you’re
making an amazingly impressive statement: I
matter.

And when you matter to
yourself, people can’t help but treat you differently. Because you’re worth it,
and you know you deserve a life filled with healthy choices – from the food you
eat, to the people you surround yourself with, right down to what you’re
willing to spend your money on.

Funny how I learned all that
through “lifting things up and putting them down.”

6 comments:

Hi, Friend,No, I've never been athletic, I have raised two children, taught school, quilted and made all kinds of crafts. Had a great time just living my life and trying to enrich the lives of those around me. Your posts are quite interesting. I enjoyed several of them just now. On my way to visit as many as I can. Best regards to you.Ruby aka Grammy